The Journal of Industrial and Engineering Ghemistry
Pub l i s he d b y T H E A M E R I C A N C H E M I C A L S O C I E T Y
AT BASTON. PA.
Vol ume X M A Y 1, 1918 No. 5
E d ito r: C H A R L E S H . H E R T Y
A ssista n t E ditor: Gr a c e Ma cLe o d Advertisi. W . No t t
A D V IS O R Y B O A R D
H . E . Ba r n a r d, H . K . Be n s o n, F . K . Ca m e r o n, B . C . He s s e, A . D . Li t t l e, A . V . H . Mo r y, M . C . Wh i t a k e h
P u b lish ed m o n th ly . S u b scrip tio n p rice to n o n -m e m b e rs o f th e A m eric a n C h e m ica l S o c ie ty , $ 6 .0 0 y ea r ly ; sin g le co p y , 60 c e n ts
P rice per sin g le c o p y to A m erican C h e m ica l S o c ie ty m em b ers, 50 c e n ts. F o r eig n p o sta g e , se v e n ty -fiv e ce n ts, C a n a d a , C u b a a n d M e x ic o e x c ep te d E n tered as S ec o n d -cla ss M a tte r D ec e m b e r 19, 1908, a t th e P o st-O ffice a t E a s to n , P a ., u nd er th e A c t of M a rch 3 , 1879
A ll c o m m u n ic a tio n s s h o u ld b e s e n t to T h e J o u r n a l ot In d u str ia l a n d E n g in e e r in g C h em istry .
T e le p h o n e : V an d erb ilt 1 9 3 0 35 E ast 4 1 st S tr e e t, N ew Y ork City
S u b sc r ip tio n s and c la im s lor lo s t c o p ie s s h o u ld b e reler r ed to C h a rles L. P a rso n s, B ox 5 0 5 , W a sh in g to n , D. C.
Es c h e n b a c h Pr i n t i n g Co m p a n y, Ea s t o n, Pa.
T A B L E OF Ed i t o r i a l s:
Four D ays M ore... 336
Platinum Scraps... 336
Pu blicity W ork to be Continued... 338
T he Chem ists’ C lu b ... 33S Or i g i n a l Pa p e r s: The Fertilizing Value of A ctivated Sludge. George G. Nasm ith and G. P. M c K a y ... 339
Equilibria in Solutions Containing M ixtures of Salts. I— The System W ater and the Sulfates and Chlorides of Sodium and Potassium. W alter C. B lasd ale 344 The Separation of the Chlorides and Sulfates of Sodium and Potassium b y Fractional Crystallization. W alter C. B lasdale... 347
T he Use of "M ine R u n ” Phosphates in the M anufacture of Soluble Phosphoric Acid. Wm. H . Waggaman and C. R . W agner... 353
The Concentration of Potash from R aw Materials Containing Only a Trace of This Elem ent b y Means of the Electric Precipitation of Flue D ust and Fume Cem ent Kilns. B. F. E rd ah l... 356
Toluol from Spruce Turpentine. A. S. W heeler 359 Arsenic in Sulfured Food Products. W . D . Collins 360 Some Constituents of the American Grapefruit ’ (Citrus decumana). Harper F. Zoller... 364
La b o r a t o r y a n d Pl a n t: An Inexpensive Ash Leaching Plant. W . D. Turner and B . G. N ichols... 374
Antim ony Sulfide as a Constituent in M ilitary and Sporting Arms Primers. Allerton S -C u s h m a n . 376 Ad d r e s s e s : Food Chem istry in the Service of Human Nutrition. H. C. Sherm an... 383
Permanence as an Ideal of Research. S. R . Scholes. 390 Th e De d i c a t i o n o f Gi l m a n Ha l l, Un i v e r s i t y o f Ca l i- F O R N I A . ... 3 9 1 C O N T E N T S Cu r r e n t In d u s t r i a l Ne w s: M achinery for France; Exports from Gold Coast; English Pottery Industry; Soap Demand in M orocco; Ferro-Concrete Shipbuilding; R ailw ay M aterial for Japan; Graphite for Boiler Scale; Swedish Gauges; South African Iron Ore; South African Diamonds; Shortage of Electrical Appliances; M argarine In dustry in Holland; Electrolytic Zinc; Trade Develop ments in Sweden; Rubber Industry in Japan; Sorghum and Paper; Colloidal N ickel; Japanese Industrial Developments; Mineral Deposits in M alay States; B utter Substitute from Fish Oils; Cod Liver Oil from Newfoundland; Indian Oilseeds; Preservation of P it Timber; Oil-Pressing P lant for India; Russian Asbestos Industry; Roumanian Petroleum; A Deoxidizing A lloy; D ye from M aple Leaves; Instruments and Tools for Venezeula; Swiss Electrochemical Industries; Oil-Break Switchgear; British Board of T rad e... 394
No t e s a n d Co r r e s p o n d e n c e: Preparation for Post-W ar Conditions in G reat Britain; N ote on “ The Fertilizing Value of A ctivated Sludge" b y Nasm ith and M cK a y ; Regulations Under the Potash Leasing A ct; Notes on “ Free Carbon” of T ar; The Growth of the Industrial Fellowship System ; American Dyestuff M anufacturers' Association; Chemicals Division of National W ar Savings Com mittee Organized; American Ceramic Society; Tech nical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry; Calendar of Meetings; Synthetic M aterials— Correc tion ... 399
Wa s h i n g t o n Le t t e r... 403
Pe r s o n a l No t e s... 404
In d u s t r i a l No t e s... 406
Go v e r n m e n t Pu b l i c a t i o n s... 408
Ne w Pu b l i c a t i o n s... 415
Ma r k e t Re p o r t... 416
EDITORIALS
FO U R DAYS M O R E
N o t fo r th e p u rp o se o f u r g in g is th is w r itte n , fo r t h a t is u n n e c e s s a ry ; n o r to e x p la in , fo r th is h a s b een c a p a b ly d o n e b y th o s e in c h a rg e o f t h e p ro m o tio n , o f th e T h ir d L ib e r t y L o a n ; b u t o n ly to re m in d th e c h e m is t w h o h a s n o t y e t s u b s c rib e d fo r h is b o n d s t h a t b u t fo u r d a y s re m a in in w h ic h h e c a n a id in t h e p r o v is io n o f t h a t “ fo rc e to th e lim it ” w h ic h P r e s id e n t W ilso n h ds d e c la re d th e p o lic y o f th is c o u n t r y fro m th is tim e on u n til a ju s t p e a c e is d e c la re d .
L E N D H I M A H A N D ! B U Y L I B E R T Y B O N D S I
PLATINUM SCRAPS
A t t h e K a n s a s C i t y M e e t in g o f t h e Am e r i c a n
Ch e m i c a l So c i e t y t h e f o l l o w i n g r e s o l u t i o n w a s
a d o p t e d :
"Resolved, T h at the attention of the National Council of Defense be called to the scarcity of platinum under existing conditions and to the great need of the metal, more particularly in the prosecution of the war. W e hold th at its use a t this time in the production of articles of ornament is contrary to public welfare. Therefore, we recommend th at an appeal be made to the women of the United States to discourage the use of platinum in jewelry and that all citizens be urged to avoid its use for jewelry, for photographic paper and for any other purpose whatever, save in scientific research and in the making of articles for industrial needs.”
S in c e t h a t tim e d ia m e t r ic a lly o p p o s ite c a m p a ig n s h a v e b e e n w a g in g , w ith o u t a d e c is iv e v i c t o r y y e t a ssu re d o n e ith e r sid e . T h e c h e m is ts h a v e fa v o r e d G o v e r n m e n t c o n tr o l o f th e e n tire s t o c k o f p la tin u m , w h ile th e je w e le rs h a v e fo u g h t s tr e n u o u s ly to k e e p a s u p p ly a v a ila b le fo r th e ir tra d e . In d e fe n se o f th e ir a t t it u d e , w h e n th e a d o p tio n o f a n a m e n d m e n t to th e w a r t a x b ill p la c in g a t a x o f t w o h u n d r e d a n d f i f t y p er c e n t o n th e m a n u fa c tu r e o f p la tin u m je w e lr y t h r e a t en e d , th e J e w e le rs ’ V ig ila n c e C o m m it t e e p le d g e d s u p p o rt in th e se w o rd s :
‘‘H aving in mind the present needs of American industries, educational institutions, and sciences for platinum and the possible future requirements of the Government, the Jewelers’
Vigilance Committee, after giving the subject careful thought, at the request of the Secretary of Commerce, has adopted the following resolutions:
“ Wh e r e a s, T he Secretary of Commerce has requested the Platinum Committee off the Jewelers’ Vigilance Committee to bring to the attention of the jewelry trade of the United States the advisability of conserving platinum in order th at our Govern
ment m ay have larger supplies to draw upon for war purposes, and
" Wh e r e a s, The jewelry trade has already expressed its desire and determination to assist our Government to the extent of its ability in bringing the war to a successful termination; be it
"Resolved, T h at we pledge ourselves to discontinue and strongly recommend to all manufacturing and retail jewelers of the United States th at they in a truly patriotic spirit discourage the manufacture, sale and use of platinum in all bulky and heavy pieces of jewelry. Be it further
"Resolved, T h at during the period of the war or until the present supplies of platinum shall be materially augmented, we pledge ourselves to discontinue and recommend th at the jew elry trade discourage the use of all non-essential platinum findings or parts of jewelry, such as scarfpin stems, pin tongues, joints, catches, swivels, pin rings, ear backs, etc., where gold would satisfactorily serve. Be it further
" Resolved, T h at the jewelry trade encourage by all means in their power the use of gold in combination with platinum wherever proper artistic results m ay be obtained. B e it further
"Resolved, T h at copies of these resolutions be handed to the Secretary of Commerce, to the trade press, and be sent to all our trade organizations, and to the daily press, in order that they m ay have the widest possible dissemination.” — The Jewelers’
Circular, M a y 9, 1917.
a n d q u o te d S e c r e t a r y of C o m m e rc e R e d fie ld , as fo llo w s :
"T h is is wise, patriotic, and unselfish action for which the merchants and manufacturers are highly to be commcnded.
It will take time to work out fully its beneficial effects to the country. It will disarm adverse criticism of the jewelry trade in this respect and lead to general cooperation with them.
Such is the earnest desire of the Department. The jewelry busi
ness is a part and an important part of our commerce. It has acted fairly, its normal needs should be considered fairly. P lat
inum is required for m any uses. E very such use has its just claim. None m ay urge an exclusive demand. A ll have a part in our common country, and the Government of th at country seeks through the Departm ent of Commerce to secure for all a due and proper share. T o this end the considerate course taken by the jewelers w illjdirectly contribute.” — The Jewelers' Circular, M ay 9, 1917.
W r itin g to C o n g r e s s m a n L o n g w o r th , a c tiv e in s u p p o rt o f th e t a x m e asu re, M e y e r D . R o th s c h ild , c h a ir m a n o f th e P la t in u m C o m m itte e a c tin g u n d e r th e a u s p ic e s of th e J e w e le rs ’ V ig ila n c e C o m m itte e , s t a t e d :
" Seventh: The Jewelers Committee who took up the ques
tion of conserving platinum with the Departm ent of Com merce and other Government departments voluntarily agreed to cut out the use of this precious metal for heavier articles of jewelry and for jewelry findings and unnecessary parts, not
withstanding the fact that they were convinced, and so stated, that there was no shortage of platinum for war purposes.
"Eighth: T h e conferences with the Secretary of Commerce and Government officials brought out the fact that there was a persistent effort on the part of certain people to ‘ bear’ the price of platinum and to that end wilful mis-statements of fact were being published and a regular press campaign undertaken to discourage the buying of platinum b y patriotic women, with the avowed purpose of cheapening the price of platinum to chemists, who have always been able to get all the platinum they required at the market price, that is, at the same price th at jewelers and others had to pay for it.
"T h e resolutions passed by the Daughters of the Revolution, and other like resolutions, can be readily traced to these mis
statements of the actual requirements of platinum for war pur
poses. The arguments used are so close to those used b y you on the floor of the House that a strong impression is created that the misinformation you received about platinum must have come from those sources.” — The Jewelers’ Circular, M ay 30, 1917.
A t th e C o n v e n tio n o f th e N e w Y o r k S t a t e R e t a il J e w e le rs ’ A ss o c ia tio n , M r. R o t h s c h ild m a d e t h e f o llo w in g s ta te m e n ts :
“ The selfish chemical interests which had started this attack on our industry with the avowed and shameless purpose of 'bearing' the price of platinum in order to get it cheaper, now began a misleading press campaign which die Platinum Com mittee met from day to day b y press corrections and general statements of facts to the press and to jewelers. This cam paign culminated in an attem pt by Congressman Longworth to place a prohibitive war tax of 250 per cent on platinum jewelry, which- the Platinum Committee was happily in a posi
tion to frustrate by the timely presentation of a letter from the Secretary of Commerce, which was read on the floor of the House of Representatives, defeating this effort to tax platinum jewelry out of existence.” — The Jewelers’ Circular, M ay 30, 1917.
C o in c id e n t ly , a v ig o r o u s a d v e r t is in g c a m p a ig n w a s c a rr ie d o n b y w h o le s a le a n d r e t a il je w e le rs in p r a c t i
c a lly e v e r y c i t y in t h e c o u n t r y , r e fe r e n c e t o w h ic h h a s a lr e a d y b e en m a d e in th e se c o lu m n s . T h e w e ll d ir e c te d e ffo rts o f th e W o m e n ’s N a tio n a l L e a g u e fo r th e C o n s e r v a tio n o f P la t in u m to c r e a te a s e n tim e n t a g a in s t th e u se o f p la tin u m in je w e lr y g a v e re n e w e d im p e tu s to th is a d v e r tis in g c a m p a ig n .
M a y , 1 9 1 8 T H E J O U R N A L O F I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y 337 C o n c e r n in g t h e w o rk o f t h e W o m e n ’s L e a g u e , o f
w h ic h M r s . E llw o o d B . S p e a r, o f C a m b r id g e , M a s s ., is c h a ir m a n , S e c r e t a r y C h a r le s L . P a r s o n s w rite s :
"Platinum in m y opinion should be ‘tabooed’ b y all American women who wish to see their country successful in this war and successful after the war in keeping its lead in the industrial and scientific developments. The opal has been considered unlucky.
Accordingly, it carried in the feminine mind little value as a gem.
I believe th at without ever using the phrase, the Women’s League for Conservation of Platinum has already begun to instill into the minds of American women w hat really ‘bad taste’
it is to wear a metal that looks like lead in rings, bracelets, etc., simply 011 account of its high price. I also believe that the
‘slacker wedding ring’ made of platinum will soon be a thing of the past.”
T h e n c a m e th e r e a liz a tio n b y th e G o v e r n m e n t a u th o r itie s o f th e d ire n e c e s s ity o f in c re a s in g th e s u p p ly o f p la tin u m fo r m u n itio n s m a n u fa c t u r e a n d th e c o n s e q u e n t o rd e r t a k in g c o n tr o l o f th e r a w m a te r ia l.
In v ie w o f th e re s o lu tio n s o f th e J e w e le rs ’ V ig ila n c e C o m m it t e e q u o t e d a b o v e , i t is s u r p r is in g to le a rn t h a t in M a r c h 19 1 8 , w h e n th e m a n u fa c tu r e r s o f je w e lr y w e re a s k e d t o o ffe r to t h e G o v e r n m e n t a t c o s t a c o n s id e r a b le p a r t o f th e ir s u p p ly o f u n w o r k e d p la tin u m , a c e n s u s o f w h ic h h a d b e e n ta k e n , t h e re s p o n s e w as o n ly t e n p e r c e n t o f t h e a m o u n t o n h a n d , w h e r e a s a t l e a s t f i f t y p er c e n t h a d b e en e x p e c te d b y th e G o v e r n m e n t o ffic ia ls. T h e s it u a t io n g a v e rise t o a p p re h e n s io n o n t h e p a r t o f t h e le a d e rs
" * * * * th at drastic action would possibly be taken by the Government in the near future to get the platinum which they believe the manufacturer should surrender.” -— The Jewelers' Circular, M arch 27, 191S.
C o m m e n tin g u p o n th e e v id e n t a c c u m u la tio n o f p la t in u m b y c e r ta in m a n u fa c tu r e r s , T he Jew elers’ C ircu la r, M a r c h 27, 19 1 8 , r e p o rts a n in te r v ie w w ith M r . C . H . C o n n e r o f t h e W a r I n d u s t r ie s B o a r d , as fo llo w s :
"M r. Conner also called attention to the fact that manufac
turers m ight find themselves subject to serious loss inasmuch as when the Governm ent does commandeer the platinum, the manufacturer who has bought since th at time will not be pro
tected against any loss, but will have to take for his platinum the Governm ent price of $105, irrespective of w hat he has paid for it.”
T h e fo llo w in g e d ito r ia l d is c u s s io n a p p e a r e d in T he Jew elers' C ircu la r of A p r il 3, 19 1 8 :
“ The platinum situation in the jewelry trade is not satis
factory. T h e propaganda of the women fanatics asking the public to give up platinum jewelry has not been contradicted by the Government officials, who know it to be founded on erroneous statements, because these officials are ‘sore’ on the jewelers. T h e irritation arises from the fact th at the jewelers’
voluntary offer of platinum to the Government is very small.
The smallness of the offer is due to two reasons: (1) the way that the so-called commandeering b y order was handled and put into effect b y the officials a t Washington, and (2) the actions of certain manufacturers whose selfishness and lack of fore
sight have put the trade as a whole in a bad position with the very officials whose cooperation is needed a t the present time to counteract the malicious propaganda th at is hurting our re
tail trade.
“ T h at approximately 5,000 ounces of platinum should be reported among the manufacturers in the jewelry trade as of February 1 and less than 500 ounces be offered to the Government when these manufacturers were called to give up caused officials to feel th at the jewelers were not cooperating with the G overn
ment, but were selfishly looking to their own interests without thought of the Governm ent’s needs. Of course, they did not take into consideration that the census of platinum was taken of February 1 while the offer was made as of platinum on hand late in M arch; but another factor in their attitude was due to their knowledge of the speculation in platinum indulged in b y a few manufacturers and the rush b y others to put platinum into
manufactured or half manufactured goods immediately after it became known th at the Government would need the raw metal. This caused certain officials to believe that the manu
facturing jewelers’ pledges of loyalty were but 'lip service,’
and without meaning. • * * * > •
H e re it is in te r e s tin g t o q u o te fro m th e r e p o r t o f H . C . L a r te r , c h a ir m a n of t h e J e w e le r s ’ V ig ila n c e C o m m itte e a t its m e e tin g o n A p r il 2, 1 9 1 8 :
‘‘We had hardly become organized when the agitation'startcd b y the chemists of the country to eliminate the use of platinum in the jewelry trade was promulgated. A s you know, we prom ptly took this matter up, in defense of the entire jew elry trade, and a t a large mass meeting a representative platinum committee was appointed, and a t its head, M eyer D. Rothschild, who for nearly twelve mouths has successfully looked after the platinum situation in the interest of our trade, and a t the same time has cooperated in every w ay possible with the Government.
“ Unfortunately, for reasons beyond anyone’s control— -the most important one of which, however, is the breakdown of the Russian nation— the platinum situation is more confusing and perplexing than ever.
“ While the platinum matter, insofar as its connection with the Government is concerned, is now out of the hands of this Platinum Committee, the Jewelers’ Vigilance Com m ittee is still interested in the adverse propaganda, started afresh w ith new vigor because of the acute situation now existing throughout the world in regard to this precious m etal.” — The Jerwelers' Circular, April 10, 191 S.
R e a liz in g t h a t “ s o m e th in g h a d t o b e d o n e t o o v e r c o m e t h e e rro n e o u s im p re ssio n as t o t h e je w e lr y t r a d e h e ld b y G o v e r n m e n t o ffic ia ls ,” o r g a n iz a tio n s o f m a n u f a c t u r in g je w e le r s in a ll s e c tio n s o f th e c o u n t r y w e re a p p e a le d to b y th e J e w e le r s ’ W a r S e r v ic e C o m m it t e e t o c a ll s p e c ia l m e e tin g s “ to in c re a s e th e o ffe r o f p l a t in u m t o t h e G o v e r n m e n t .” T w o m e e tin g s w e re h e ld in N e w Y o r k C i t y , a t w h ic h 400 o u n c e s a d d it io n a l w ere s e c u re d .
In an a r tic le w r itte n fo r T he K ey ston e (a le a d in g je w e lr y c ir c u la r ) , A p r il 19 1 8 , J a m e s MJ H ill, o f th e U . S.
G e o lo g ic a l S u r v e y , s ta te s th e r e la t iv e s u p p ly a n d n e e d s a s fo llo w s :
■ < * * * * j n (.|lere wcre approximately 44,000 ounces of platinum in contact acid plants; in 1917, about 60,000 ounces, and it is estimated that the industry must be further ex
panded during 1918 b y at least fifty per cent to supply the sul
furic acid to make the munitions necessary to carry 011 the war.
“ The platinum for the nitrogen fixation industry is used in the form of a very fine gauze, woven of [H ir e platinum wire. The building of this industry has become necessary through the great expansion in the demand for nitrates to be used in explo
sives. T h e plants are being built under the control of the Govern
ment and it is not expedient to give details concerning the quantities of platinum required b y them. It seems, however, safe to say th at the quantity runs in the thousands, rather than in the hundreds of ounces.
“ * * * * Y e t it must always be remembered th at platinum, the metal most resistant to all chemical reagents, is par excellence the chemist’s metal for he can use it in nearly all steps of his work, while with substitutes he must constantly bear in mind the limitations of utensils made of other materials.
“ * * • * * In fact, it is believed that aside from the large amount of platinum metals in the form of manufactured jewelry, a large part of which is in private ownership, there is less than twenty- five per cent of the normal stock of unmanufactured platmutu available for war needs.
“ T h at these needs are very real cannot be questioned b y any thinking man. The question of w hat can be done to meet these needs is very much alive and must be solved shortly or the war program of the United States is liable to suffer.”
In t h e s a m e issu e o f T he K ey sto n e, t h e E d i t o r d is cu sse s t h e p la tin u m s it u a t io n w ith r e fr e s h in g f r a n k n ess, a n d in te r m s w h ic h e v in c e a c le a r c o m p r e h e n
s i o n o f t h e g r a v i t y o f t h e s i t u a t i o n a n d o f t h e j e w e l e r s ’ r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t h e r e i n .
"L e t tis not forget the urgency of the need for placing under United States control as large a portion of the world’s platinum supply as possible. Crafty, forehanded Germany has been doing her utmost, since the war began, to increase her supply of the now doubly-precious and much-needed metal. Since the con
clusion of her damnably insincere ‘peace’ contract with poor Russia, she is in a fair w ay, through seduction or force, to ob
tain access to the world’s greatest source of the coveted material, and thus not only take care of her own very urgent need but also deprive the United States and her Allies of further importations.
“ Hence, while the commandeering order recently issued b y the United States Secretary of W ar does not requisition platinum jewelry nor in the least affect the sale of any already made up, the time m ay not be far distant when an appeal will be made or an order found necessary to call in even the finished product for use in essential purposes in prosecuting the war. W h at we have to suggest, therefore, is perhaps as much colored with prophecy as patriotism.”
T h e s t o r y h ere n a r r a te d th r o u g h e x c e r p ts fro m th e je w e le r s ’ p u b lic a tio n s c o n s t it u t e s no p r a is e w o r t h y c h a p te r in th e h is t o r y o f o u r w a r m a k in g . I t d o es fu r n is h a m p le ju s t ific a t io n fo r t h e c a m p a ig n in a u g u r a t e d b y th e c h e m is ts a t K a n s a s C i t y . P la in ly th e h a n d w r itin g is on t h e w a ll. P r io r it y m u s t b e g iv e n to m u n itio n s m a n u fa c tu r e a n d s c ie n tific re s e a rc h .
PUBLICITY W O RK TO BE CONTINUED
T h e w o r k o f th e P re s s a n d P u b lic it y C o m m itte e o f th e Am e r i c a n Ch e m i c a l So c i e t y is to b e c o n tin u e d . T h is p o lic y w a s d e te rm in e d b y t h e a c tio n o f th e D ir e c to rs a t th e ir S p r i n g M e e t in g o n A p r i l 13 , 19 18 , w h e r e b y “ i t w a s v o t e d t h a t a n a d d itio n a l a p p r o p r ia tio n o f 82,500, o r so m u c h th e r e o f a s m a y be n e c e s s a ry , b e m a d e t o th e P u b lic it y C o m m it t e e a n d t h a t th e C o m m itte e b e c o n tin u e d .”
T h is a c tio n h a s a tw o fo ld s ig n ific a n c e . I n th e firs t p la c e , it is c le a r ly in d ic a t iv e o f an in c re a s e in th e m e m b e rsh ip o f th e S o c ie ty s u ffic ie n tly la r g e to d isp e l th e p o s s ib ilit y of a d e c re a s e d in c o m e d u e to w a r co n d itio n s , fo r i t w a s p r im a r ily u p o n t h is g r o u n d t h a t th e r e c o m m e n d a tio n s o f t h e C o m m it t e e w ere t a b le d a t t h e D e c e m b e r 19 1 7 m e e tin g o f th e D ir e c to rs . ( T h is a c tio n w a s d is c u s s e d e d ito r ia lly in th e J a n u a r y 19 18 issu e o f Th i s Jo u r n a l.) In th e s e c o n d p la c e , it in su re s t h e c o n tin u a n c e o n a n e v e n m o re e ffic ie n t s c a le o f o n e o f th e m o st im p o r t a n t a c tiv it ie s o f th e S o c ie ty . In ju s t ific a t io n o f t h is a p p ra isa l o f th e C o m m it t e e ’s w o r k , th e re is r e p ro d u c e d a p o rtio n o f th e e d ito r ia l a b o v e m e n tio n e d :
"W e live in a democracy, and under such conditions sure foundations can be laid only in broad educational work from the bottom upward. Our people through their newspapers should have opportunity to learn more of chemistry treated in a popular way, and should be brought into a more sym pathetic relationship with American chemists through the record of their achieve
ments. Such work is preeminently the function of the Am e r i c a n Ch e m i c a l So c i e t y, an organization which has 110 propaganda to promote other than the welfare of this country through in
creased appreciation of chemistry."
A s a re s u lt of th e a c tio n o f th e D ir e c to r s , t h e C o m m itte e is n ow fo r m u la tin g p la n s fo r t h e c o n tin u a n c e o f th e w o r k .
T H E C H E M IS T S ’ CLUB
A t a m e e tin g o f t h e T r u s te e s of T h e C h e m is t s ’ C lu b o n A p r il 5, 19 18 , i t w a s v o t e d t h a t th e fo llo w in g c o m m u n ic a tio n a n d q u e s tio n n a ire s h o u ld b e s e n t to e a c h m e m b e r o f t h e C lu b :
The Board of Trustees, in view of existing conditions at home and abroad, respectfully bring to the attention of all members of T he Chemists’ Club, resident and non-resident, the importance of complying with the following requests:
1st. T h at the German Language shall not be used in conversation in the Club.
2nd. T h a t all disloyal criticism of the United States Government, or its allies in the present war, must be avoided in the Club.
3rd. T h at any member of the Club, resident or non-resident, of whatever descent, and whether an American citizen or not, whose sympathies favor the enemies of this country, or who cannot conscientiously com ply with the foregoing requests or who cannot be sure of so conducting himself as to avoid giving offense to his fellow members b y any display of hostility or disloyalty to the United States or its allies, is requested to resign.
T he Trustees also ask you to fill o u t and retu rn not later th an M ay 1, 1918, in the accom panying addressed envelope, th e en
closed card asking for certain d ata, to enable them accurately to answer inquiries from tim e to tim e made b y th e G overnm ent authorities.
F l o y d J. M e t z g e r ,
April 15, 1918 Acting Secretary
THE CHEMISTS’ CLUB, N E W YORK
Nam e of Member...
Address (Business)...(Home)...
Business...(Firm )...
Birthplace (Self)... Y e a r...
Birthplace (F ath er)...Birthplace (M other)...
Citizen of U nited S tates—Y e s...N o...
If N aturalized...W h en ...Where...
Citizen of...
Sons in S ervice... In A rm y ... In Navy.-...
Other Members of Fam ily in Service...
T h is m a tte r , w e le a rn , h a d b e en u n d e r c a r e fu l c o n s id e r a tio n a t s e v e r a l p re v io u s m e e tin g s o f th e T r u s te e s . T h e a ctio n , t a k e n o ffic ia lly e s ta b lis h e s a s a r e q u is ite o f m e m b e rsh ip in t h e C lu b u n s w e r v in g l o y a l t y to th e c a u se o f t h is c o u n t r y a n d it s a llie s , a n d w ill e lim in a te a ll e n e m y s y m p a th iz e r s , th e n u m b e r of w h o m is sm a ll, b u t w h o se p re se n c e , no m a tt e r h o w s m a ll th e n u m b e r, is c o m p le te ly in c o m p a tib le w ith t h a t s p ir it o f h o m e life w h ic h th e te r m “ c lu b ” im p lie s.
M a y , 1 9 1 8 T E E J O U R N A L O F I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y 3 3 9
ORIGINAL PAPERS
T H E FE R TILIZ IN G VALUE OF A C TIV A TE D S L U D G E 1
B y G e o r g e G . N a s m i t h a n d G . P . M c K a y R e c e iv e d F e b r u a r y 18, 1918
T h e m o st im p o r ta n t p ro b le m r e m a in in g t o b e s o lv e d in th e d is p o s a l o f s e w a g e is p r o b a b ly t h a t o f e c o n o m ic a lly d e w a te r in g th e s lu d g e . S in c e th e d is c o v e r y o f t h e a c t iv a t e d slu d g e m e th o d , t h e n e c e s s ity of d e v is in g a m e th o d o f d e w a te r in g th is n ew t y p e o f s lu d g e h a s b e c o m e e v e n m o re u r g e n t fo r t h e re a so n t h a t a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e h a s m a r k e d f e r t iliz in g p r o p e r tie s , a s B a r t o w a n d H a t fie ld 2 h a v e p o in te d o u t.
I n t h e a c t iv a t e d slu d g e m e th o d o f s e w a g e d isp o sa l, fin e ly d iv id e d a ir is b lo w n th r o u g h t h e s e w a g e . A ft e r so m e tim e th e slu d g e w h ic h s e ttle s o u t is fo u n d to p o sse ss r e m a r k a b le p r o p e r tie s w h e n a g it a t e d w ith fre sh s e w a g e b y th e s a m e m e th o d o f a e r a tio n . T h e s lu d g e h a s b e c o m e “ a c t i v a t e d ” a n d w h e n b lo w n in c o n ta c t w ith fre s h s e w a g e th e o rg a n ic m a tte r p re s e n t in th e la t t e r is r a p id ly o x id iz e d , p r a c t ic a lly a ll t h e in te s tin a l b a c te r ia d e s tr o y e d , n itr a te s e la b o r a te d , a n d a s ta b le e fflu e n t fo rm e d .
“ A c t iv a t e d ” s lu d g e , h o w e v e r , lik e o r d in a r y slu d g e , c o n ta in s 9 5 p e r c e n t o f w a te r , a n d s till h a s to b e dew’ a te r e d b e fo r e i t c a n b e s a t is f a c t o r ily h a n d le d .
T h e t r e a t m e n t o f s e w a g e b y t h is m e th o d is v e r y p ro m is in g fo r if th e fe r tiliz in g v a lu e o f th e slu d g e is h ig h , th e r e v e n u e th e r e fr o m w o u ld h e lp to p a y th e c o s t o f d e w a te r in g a n d d is p o s in g o f th e s lu d g e . F u r th e rm o re , it is a q u e s tio n of c o n s e r v a tio n o f th e first m a g n itu d e , fo r if a fa ir p r o p o r tio n o f t h e fe r tiliz in g v a lu e o f t h e e x c r e t a fro m o u r c itie s a n d to w n s c o u ld b e s a v e d a n d tu r n e d b a c k in to th e la n d i t w o u ld b e a g r e a t fa c t o r to w a r d s s o lv in g o u r f e r t iliz e r p ro b le m , p a r t ic u la r ly in c o n s e r v in g t h e s u p p ly o f h u m u s a n d n itr a t e s , a n d in c re a s in g th e f e r t il i t y a n d p r o d u c t iv it y o f t h e soil.
In D e c e m b e r 19 1 5 a s m a ll e x p e r im e n ta l a c t i v a t e d s lu d g e p la n t w a s s t a r te d a t th e T o r o n to M a in S e w a g e D is p o s a l W o rk s , M o r le y A v e n u e . D r . A d a m s a n d M r . J. S c o t t , w h o a t firs t o p e r a te d t h e p la n t d u r in g m y a b s e n c e . in F r a n c e , so o n p r o v e d t h a t T o r o n to s lu d g e c o u ld be r e a d ily a c t iv a t e d , a n d t h e p la n t h a s b e e n in o p e r a tio n e v e r sin c e. A .good d e a l of p re lim - in a r y d a t a h a v e b e e n o b ta in e d fo r o u r o w n in fo r m a tio n in ca se th e c i t y o f T o r o n to s h o u ld e v e r d e c id e t o a d o p t th e m e th o d o n a la rg e s c a le . A m o n g o th e r th in g s , w e h a v e te s t e d t h e v a lu e o f a c t iv a t e d slu d g e as a fe r tiliz e r .
B a r t o w a n d H a tfie ld , in so m e e x p e r im e n ta l w o r k t o d e te rm in e th e v a lu e o f a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e a s a fe r tiliz e r , m a d e a n u m b e r o f e x p e r im e n ts w ith t h e g r o w t h of w h e a t in p o ts . T h e a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e u se d b y th e m g a v e th e fo llo w in g a n a ly s is : T o t a l N itr o g e n = 6.3 p er c e n t; P 20 5 = 2.69 p e r c e n t.
B y t h e u se o f o n e t o n o f t h is s lu d g e p er a c re , e q u iv a le n t t o 120 lb s . o f n itr o g e n , t o g e th e r w ith 5 to n s o f d o lo m ite , 1/ i t o n o f b o n e m e a l, a n d 500 lb s . of p o ta s s iu m s u lfa te p e r a c re , t h e y o b ta in e d a y ie ld o f 36 to 3 7 ‘ / j
1 S e e co m m u n ic a tio n from P . R u d n ic k in N o t e s a n d C o rresp o n d en ce.
* Th i s Jo u r n a l, 8 ( 1 9 1 6 ) , 1 7 .
b u . o f w h e a t p e r a c re as a g a in s t i s l/z b u s h e ls p e r a c re w'here th e e q u iv a le n t a m o u n t o f n itr o g e n h a d b een a d d e d in t h e fo r m of d r ie d b lo o d . T h e s tr a w a lso a m o u n te d t o o v e r t w o to n s per- a c re as a g a in s t less t h a n */< o f a to n o f s tr a w p e r a cre w h e r e d r ie d b lo o d h a d b e en e m p lo y e d a s fe r tiliz e r .
I n fu r th e r te s t s a s t o t h e v a lu e o f s lu d g e as a m a r k e t g a rd e n fe r tiliz e r , th e s e in v e s t ig a t o r s u se d p lo ts , e a c h 2 f t . X 3 f t ., w h ic h w ere t r e a t e d w ith e q u iv a le n t q u a n t it ie s o f s lu d g e a n d d r ie d b lo o d p er a c re . T h e y o b ta in e d a n in c re a se in w e ig h t o f 40 p e r c e n t in th e
Fi g. I — Sh o w i n g Gr o w t h o n Ex p e r i m e n t a l Pl o t s, Ju l y 1 8 , 1 9 1 7
le t t u c e a n d 150 p er c e n t in t h e r a d is h e s , a n d th e g r o w th w a s m u c h m o re ra p id in t h e b e d s fe r t iliz e d w ith a c t i v a t e d slu d g e . T h e y c o n c lu d e fro m th e ir e x p e r i
m e n ts “ t h a t th e n itr o g e n in ‘ a c t i v a t e d s lu d g e ’ , is in a v e r y a v a ila b le fo rm , a n d t h a t a c t iv a t e d slu d g e is v a lu a b le a s a fe r t iliz e r .”
B a r t o w a n d H a tfie ld , in d e te rm in in g t h e a m o u n t o f f e r t iliz e r to b e e m p lo y e d , u s e d as a b a sis t h e a m o u n t o f n itr o g e n p re se n t. F o r in s ta n c e , t h e y u s e d in th e ir e x p e r im e n ts th e q u a n t i t y o f a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e a n d d rie d b lo o d t h a t w o u ld y ie ld 120 lb s. o f n itr o g e n p e r a cre .
T h e a m o u n t o f p h o s p h a te o r o th e r in g re d ie n ts p re se n t in th e slu d g e w a s n o t c o n sid e re d .
T H E V A L U E O F F E R T I L I Z E R S
E x p e rie n c e h a s p r o v e d t h a t t h e v a lu e o f fre sh m a n u re a s a c ro p p ro d u c e r is fr o m o n e -th ir d t o tw o - th ird s m o re e ffe c tiv e t h a n r o t t e d m a n u re , b e c a u s e a c e r ta in p r o p o rtio n o f th e n itr o g e n a n d o th e r in -
Fi g. I I — Il l u s t r a t i n g Ta b l e 1
g r e d ie n ts h a v e b e e n le a c h e d o u t o f th e la t t e r a n d lo s t.
M a n u re h a s a g r e a te r f e r t iliz in g v a lu e t h a n w o u ld be e s tim a te d fro m th e a m o u n t o f n itr o g e n , p h o s p h o ric a c id a n d p o ta s h p re s e n t. T h is g r e a te r v a lu e is d u e to th e la r g e a m o u n t o f h u m u s p re s e n t in t h e m a n u re ; h u m u s is n o t fo u n d t o a n y e x t e n t in th e c o m m e rc ia l fe r tiliz e r s , w h ic h are c o m m o n ly p u r c h a s e d o n th e ir n itr o g e n , p h o s p h o ric a c id o r p o ta s h c o n te n t.
H u m u s is p a r t ly d e c o m p o s e d o r g a n ic m a tt e r , s u c h as d e c a y e d le a v e s . I t is fo u n d in la r g e q u a n t it ie s in a ll fe r tile so ils a n d is p r o b a b ly t h e m o st v a lu a b le c o n s titu e n t p re se n t, b e c a u s e i t is n o t o n ly a s o u rc e o f n itr o g e n , b u t it h e lp s to k e e p th e s o il m o is t, lo o se a n d w ell a e r a te d , a s w e ll a s to p r o v id e a m e d iu m fo r th e p r o p a g a tio n of so il o rg a n is m s so e ss e n tia l to th e g r o w th o f p la n t life .
T h e c h e m ic a l c o n s titu e n ts in a f e r t iliz e r a re n o t t h e o n ly o n es u p o n w h ic h it s fe r tiliz in g v a lu e m u st b e d e te rm in e d . I t w o u ld b e p o ss ib le to h a v e t h e s a m e a m o u n t o f p o ta s h , n itr o g e n a n d p h o s p h a te in t w o d iffe r e n t fe r tiliz e r s a n d y e t o b ta in e n t ir e ly d iffe r e n t re s u lts u p o n p la n t g r o w th . T h e a v a i la b i li t y o f th e fo o d m a te ria l fo r t h e a ss im ila tio n o f t h e p la n t is a g r e a t fa c to r . T h u s o r d in a r y s e p t ic s lu d g e is n o t a g o o d fe r tiliz e r fo r im m e d ia te g r o w th o f p la n ts , r e s u lts o b ta in e d t h e first y e a r b e in g p o o r. B u t t h e t r a n s
fo r m a tio n o f t h e s e p tic s lu d g e t a k in g p la c e in t h e so il fre e s t h e p la n t fo o d m a te r ia l lo c k e d u p in t h is slu d g e a n d re n d e rs i t a v a ila b le , so t h a t it b e c o m e s a n e x c e lle n t fe r tiliz e r th e s e c o n d y e a r a ft e r it h a s b e en d u g in to t h e so il. T h e e x p e rie n c e s o f a n u m b e r of a m a te u r s in T o r o n to w h o h a v e b e e n u s in g o r d in a r y s e p tic s lu d g e fo r s e v e r a l y e a r s in th e ir v e g e t a b le a n d ro se g a rd e n s , h a v e q u ite e s ta b lis h e d th is f a c t .
T h e t r u e s t t e s t o f fe r tiliz e r s is n o t t h e ir c o n te n t of n itr o g e n , p h o s p h a te o r o th e r c h e m ic a l, b u t r a th e r th e a v a ila b ilit y o f t h e c h e m ic a ls p re s e n t as fo o d fo r g r o w in g cro p s a n d th e a c t u a l in c re a s e in th e y ie ld b r o u g h t a b o u t b y t h e fe r tiliz e r . H e re a g a in th e fe r tiliz e r s m u st b e d iffe r e n tia te d a c c o r d in g to th e ir a b ilit y t o p ro d u c e im m e d ia te re s u lts . W e m u s t d e te r m in e w h e th e r t h e y are a v a ila b le th r o u g h th e g r o w in g se a so n , w h e th e r t h e y le a v e a re sid u e o f h u m u s a n d o th e r m a te ria ls in th e s o il, a n d w h e th e r t h e y b rin g a b o u t e x h a u s tio n o f th e m in e ra l e le m e n ts o f t h e so il o r n o t.
A c t iv a t e d s lu d g e , w h e n a ir-d r ie d , is a d a r k b ro w n , fr ia b le , p e r fe c t ly in o ffe n s iv e m a te r ia l w ith a s lig h t ly e a r t h y o d o r lik e t h a t o f d e c a y e d le a v e s . I t co n sis ts la r g e ly o f h u m u s , b u t c o n ta in s m u c h m o re n itr o g e n , p h o s p h o ric a c id a n d p o ta s h t h a n d o es o r d i
n a r y b a r n y a r d m a n u re . F u r th e r m o r e , it is c r o w d e d w ith m illio n s o f t h e n it r if y in g t y p e o f o rg a n is m s so e ss e n tia l t o p la n t g r o w th .
F o r th e re a so n s g iv e n a b o v e a s t o th e fe r tiliz in g v a lu e of m a n u re , w e h a v e t a k e n t h is fo r o u r s ta n d a r d o f c o m p a r is o n a n d h a v e n o t c o m p a r e d t h e f e r t iliz in g v a lu e o f slu d g e w ith c o m m e rc ia l fe r tiliz e r s o n a n it r o gen , p h o s p h o ric a c id o r p o ta s h b a sis.
T h e re a l sin g le, fin a l t e s t o f a n y fe r tiliz e r o r m a n u re is t h e in c re a se in t h e y ie ld p r o d u c e d b y it w h e n c o m p a r e d w ith a n e q u iv a le n t a m o u n t o f b a r n y a r d m a n u re .
Fi g. I l l — Il l u s t r a t i n g Ta b l e 2
W e s e le c te d fo r o u r p lo t e x p e r im e n ts a s ite o n v e r y p o o r, h u m u s -fre e c l a y s o il, a d ja c e n t t o o u r e x p e r im e n ta l p la n t. T h e s u r fa c e w a s s c ra p e d t o fre e i t o f a n y o r-
M a y , 1 9 1 8 T H E J O U R N A L O F I N D U S T R I A L A N D E N G I N E E R I N G C H E M I S T R Y 341
g a n ic m a tt e r p re s e n t, a n d fo u r in c h e s o f w a te r -w a s h e d s a n d w e re t h e n th o r o u g h ly in c o r p o r a te d w ith th e so il t o a d e p th o f t e n in ch es. T h is w a s d o n e to p e r m it o f a e r a tio n , t o p r e v e n t th e so il b a k in g in t h e s u n , a n d to m a k e t h e s o il fria b le .
S ix b e d s, e a c h 10 ft. X 4 f t ., w ere th e n la id o u t a n d s e p a r a te d fro m t h e p a th s b y b o a r d s p la c e d e d g e w is e in th e g ro u n d .
O n e b e d w a s k e p t a s a c o n tr o l, a n d n o fe r tiliz e r a d d e d t o it. T h e se c o n d w a s t r e a t e d w ith 27 lb s . o f a ir- d r ie d h o rse m a n u re , a n d th e o th e r fo u r e a c h w ith 27 lb s. o f a ir-d r ie d s lu d g e ( e q u iv a le n t t o 14 V 2 to n s to th e a c re ). T h is is s u m m a r iz e d b e lo w :
T o ta l T o ta l Q u a n tity N itro g e n p2o 6
Be d A ir-dried F e rtilizer U sed P er c e n t P e r c e n t
N o . 1 N o n e 0 0 0
N o . 2 •M an u re 27 lb s. 1 .9 0 1.00
N o . 3 A c tiv a te d slu d g e 27 lb s. 2 .5 0 2 .4 6
N o . 4 S lu d g e from old bed 27 lb s. 1 .1 0 0 .8 5
N o . 5 H u m u s— B ru sh filter 27 lb s. 1 .3 0 1 .2 0
N o . 6 S lu d g e— ta n k s 27 lb s. 1 .2 1 1 .2 4
O n M a y 18, 1 9 1 7 , th e fe r tiliz e r s w e re a d d e d a n d th o r o u g h ly in c o r p o r a te d w ith th e s o il, a n d o n M a y 2 1, th e seed s w e re p la n te d in a ll t h e b e d s. S e ed s w e r e u se d e x c e p t in t h e c a s e of t o m a to e s a n d S p a n is h o n io n s. A f a ir ly t h ic k p la n t in g w a s m a d e so t h a t p le n t y o f se e d lin g s w o u ld b e a v a ila b le w h e n th in n in g o u t, a n d a u n ifo r m n u m b e r o f s tr o n g se e d lin g s o f e a c h v a r ie t y c o u ld be le ft in e a c h b ed .
A s e a c h ro w o f v e g e t a b le s w a s p u lle d fr o m t h e s e v e r a l b e d s a t t h e sa m e tim e , th e c o m p le te p la n ts , le a v e s a n d a ll, w ere p la c e d in b a g s , la b e lle d a n d b r o u g h t to th e la b o r a t o r y . A f t e r th e re m o v a l o f a d h e r e n t e a r th t h e p r o d u c t o f e a c h b e d w a s w e ig h e d ; th e to p s , in t h e ca se o f r o o t cro p s, w ere th e n t a k e n o il a n d w e ig h e d s e p a r a te ly
Fi g I V — Il l u s t r a t i n g Ta b l e 5
Fi g. V — Il l u s t r a t i n g Ta b l e 7
a n d th e d iffe re n c e t a k e n a s t h e w e ig h t o f t h e r o o t . N o te s w ere a lso m a d e as t o th e q u a li t y o f t h e c ro p .
B e fo r e w e ig h in g , th e cro p s w ere s p re a d o u t o n th e flo o r in th e ir r e s p e c tiv e g r o u p s a n d p h o to g r a p h e d . T h e p h o to g r a p h s , h o w e v e r , g a v e o n ly a g e n e r a l id e a o f t h e d iffe re n c e in size o f th e v a r io u s g r o u p s b e c a u s e o f t h e f a c t t h a t t h e c a m e r a h a d t o b e t ilt e d , in c o n s e q u e n c e o f w h ic h th e ro w s clo ser to th e c a m e r a a p p e a r la r g e r a n d t h e ro w s fa r t h e r a w a y s m a lle r t h a n t h e y s h o u ld be.
T h e p la n a d o p te d w o rk e d v e r y w ell in p r a c tic e a n d g a v e , w e t h in k , fa ir c o m p a r a tiv e re su lts.
D a i ly o b s e r v a tio n s w ere m a d e b y t h e m a n w h o lo o k e d a ft e r t h e b e d s , a n d w h o w a s h im s e lf a g a rd e n e r , a s to a p p e a r a n c e o f th e v a r io u s v e g e t a b le s , te m p e r a tu r e , r a in fa ll a n d c u lt iv a t io n . W h e n h e c u lt iv a t e d o n e b e d he c u lt iv a t e d a ll th e b e d s; if h e w a te r e d o n e h e w a te r e d a ll, a n d u s e d th e sam e a m o u n t o f w a t e r , a n d w h e n h e p u lle d o n e v a r ie t y h e p u lle d t h a t v a r ie t y fr o m a ll th e b e d s.
I n t h is w a y w e tr ie d t o e lim in a te e v e r y f a c t o r w h ic h m ig h t g iv e a n y a d v a n t a g e t o o n e b e d o v e r a n o th e r , a n d t o r e m o v e e v e r y in flu e n c e t h a t m ig h t h a v e h a d a n y b e a r in g o n th e g r o w th o f t h e p la n t s e x c e p t th e a c tu a l e ffe c t of th e fe r tiliz e r s th e m s e lv e s d u r in g th e c o u rs e o f o n e sea so n .
T h e fo llo w in g are s y n o p s e s o f th e r e s u lts o b ta in e d :
Ta b l e 1— Ea r l y Ra d i s h e s
A c t i - M o r l e y N . T o r o n t o
C o n v a t e d A v e .
t r o l M a n u r e S l u d g e S l u d g e H u m u s S l u d g e
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s . . .. . . . 92 4 5 5 757 317 582 752
W e i g h t , r o o t s — g r a m s . ..... 59 3 5 0 4 90 2 00 417 5 1 8
W e i g h t , t o p s — g r a m s . . .___ 33 105 267 117 165 234
I n c r e a s e i n r o o t s o v e r c o n -
t r o l — p e r c e n t ... 49 3 730 239 606 778
Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s --- 5 .0 4 7
T a b l E 2-—He a d Le t t u c e W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s . . .. . . . 31 2 3 8 4 84 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l - —p e r
c e n t ... 66 7 1461 Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s . . . . 1 .9 3 . 8 8 . . .
T a b l e 3— L e t t u c e , G r a n d R a p i d s
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s . . .. . . . 75 M i s s i n g 5 2 4 155 277 248 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l - —p e r
c e n t ... M i s s i n g 59 8 106 269 228
Y i e ld p e r a c r e — t o n s . . . . ... M i s s i n g — . . .
Ta b u s 4— B e a n s
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 2 5 6 2 9 6 5 2 5 3 5 7 3 7 7 5 3 1 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 1 5 . 6 105 3 9 . 4 4 7 . 2 107 Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s ... 1 . 7 8 3 . 1 6 . . .
Ta b l e 5 — Be e t s
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 79 1 7 9 6 3 4 3 7 1 1 6 0 2 0 1 2 2 9 4 5 W e i g h t , r o o t s — g r a m s ... 2 4 7 3 0 17 3 7 4 3 7 891 11 6 9 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 2 9 4 1 7 1 3 7 1 3 0 4 3 6 1 2 4 7 7 0 Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s ... 5 . 8 5 1 3 . 9 0 . . .
Ta b l e 6— La t e Ra d i s h e s
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 3 2 7 5 3 1 5 4 7 2 2 8 5 7 3 8
W e i g h t , r o o t s — g r a m s ... 18 4 3 179 2 8 3 197 4 5 2
I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 1 39 8 9 4 1 4 7 0 1 0 0 6 2 4 1 0 Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s ...
Ta b l e 7 - —To m a t o e s
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 2 9 4 2 2 1 6 5 4 1 6 4 5 3 3 1 1 8 4
N o . o f t o m a t o e s ... 2 9 15 2 6 13
A v e r a g e w e i g h t o f s in g l e t o
m a t o — g r a m s ... 1 4 1/ ! 4 7 110 8 2 8 9 91
I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 1 3 5 5 5 6 0 3 4 6 6 1 7 3 8 3 9 8 3 Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s ... 5 . 0 7 1 9 . 9
Ta b l e 8 — Ca r r o t s
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s . ... 8 8 5 1 6 8 0 15 3 5 1 4 2 5 1 5 6 0 2 6 9 5 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 9 6 8 0 6 6 8 2 2 1 5
Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s . ... .. 2 0 3 2 .
Ta b l e 9 — On i o n s, Sp a n i s h ( 1 6 Be s t)
W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 41 9 6 2 8 0 142 6 8 3 2 7
I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 13 4 5 8 3 2 4 6 6 4 7 0 0
Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s ... 1 . 2 3 . 4 3 .
Ta b l e 10—- On i o n s, Re d We a t i i e r f i e l d (8 Be s t) W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 6 7 1 1 0 7 2 0 2 3 9 2 2 5 4 2 0 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 6 4 9 7 4 2 5 6 2 3 5 5 2 7
Y i e l d p e r a c r e — t o n s . ... 1 . 3 8 . 7 5 .
Ta b l e 11— On i o n s, Da n v e r s Ye l l o w Gl o b e ( 8 Be s t) W e i g h t , t o t a l — g r a m s ... 6 7 1 2 4 2 3 2 2 6 0 184 1 6 9 I n c r e a s e o v e r c o n t r o l — p e r
c e n t ... 8 5 2 4 6 2 8 8 174 152 Y i e ld p e r a c r e — t o n s ... 1 . 5 2 . 8
N O T E S O N T A B L E S I T O IX
t a b l e i— T h e ra d is h e s w ere p la n te d M a y 2 1 a n d p u lle d J u ly 5, a p p r o x im a te ly six w e e k s la te r . T h e sa m e n u m b e r o f ra d is h e s w a s le ft in e a c h b e d .
T h e y ie ld s fr o m th e a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e a n d N o r th T o r o n to s lu d g e w ere a b o u t th e s a m e , b u t 40 p er c e n t g r e a te r t h a n t h a t fr o m th e m a n u re d b e d .
t a b l e s 2 a n d 3— T h e t w o s e ts o f le t t u c e , p u lle d J u ly 19, c le a r ly s h o w e d t h e s u p e r io r it y o f a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e a s a fe r tiliz e r . T h e s e b e d s y ie ld e d d o u b le th e w e ig h t o f le t t u c e p r o d u c e d b y t h e b e d s fe r t iliz e d w ith o r d in a r y m a n u re a n d o th e r s lu d g e s. A c t iv a t e d slu d g e , t h e re fo r e , is a p a r t ic u la r ly g o o d fe r tiliz e r fo r le ttu c e .
t a b l e 4-— T h e b e a n s, o n e o f th e le g u m e s , w e re p u lle d A u g u s t 7, a n d d id n o t s h o w so wrid e a v a r ia t io n in t h e d iffe r e n t b e d s a s d id th e ra d is h e s a n d le t t u c e . S till, t h e c ro p s fro m t h e b e d s fe r tiliz e d w ith a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e a n d w ith N o r th T o r o n to slu d g e w e r e 77 p e r c e n t h e a v ie r th a n fro m t h e b e d fe r tiliz e d w ith o r d in a r y h o rse m a n u re .
t a b l e 5— T h e b e e ts w ere p u lle d o n A u g u s t 16. D u r in g th e p e rio d o f g r o w th th e fo lia g e o n t h e b e e ts in t h e a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e b e d w a s m u c h m o re lu x u r ia n t t h a n t h a t o n th e b e e ts in a n y o f t h e o th e r p lo ts . T h e y ie ld o f to p s w as d o u b le t h a t fro m t h e b e d s fe r tiliz e d w ith o r d in a r y m a n u re , a n d th e y ie ld o f ro o ts 138 p e r c e n t g re a te r. T h e s lu d g e fr o m N o r t h T o r o n to w a s c o n s id e r a b ly b e h in d in t h is case.
t a b l e 6— T h e la te ra d is h e s w e re n o t a s u c c e s s, th o u g h a la rg e in c re a s e o v e r th e c o n tr o l w a s a p p a r e n t in a ll ca ses; t h e y w ere d is to r te d in s h a p e a n d in so m e c a s e s ro tte d . T h e y ie ld fro m t h e N o r t h T o r o n to s lu d g e p lo t w as g r e a te s t, b u t th e s lu d g e fr o m th e o ld b e d s, w h ic h h a d n o t b e e n a s u c c e s sfu l f e r t iliz e r u p to
t h is tim e , m a d e a g o o d s h o w in g a n d in d ic a te d t h a t a e r o b ic a c tio n a n d n itr ific a tio n o f th is s lu d g e h a d t a k e n p la c e in t h e e a r th , re n d e r in g t h is fe r tiliz e r a v a i la b le as a p la n t fo o d .
t a b l e 7— T h e to m a to e s w ere p ic k e d O c to b e r 2.
D u r in g t h e g r o w in g se a s o n th e t o m a t o p la n t in th e a c t i
v a t e d slu d g e b e d h a d b e en m o st v ig o r o u s ; th e t o m a to e s h a d a lso rip e n e d first o n t h e b e d s t r e a t e d w ith a c t i v a t e d slu d g e a n d N o r t h T o r o n to s lu d g e . T h e a c t i v a t e d s lu d g e b e d g a v e th e g r e a t e s t n u m b e r a n d th e g r e a te s t t o t a l w e ig h t o f to m a to e s . T h e a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e g a v e a y ie ld o f 300 p e r c e n t in e x c e ss o v e r t h a t o f th e m a n u re b e d , s h o w in g t h a t a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e is a n id e a l fe r tiliz e r fo r to m a to e s . T h e y ie ld fr o m th e p lo t fe r tiliz e d w ith N o r t h T o r o n to s lu d g e w a s c o n s id e r a b ly b e h in d th e a c t iv a t e d s lu d g e , t h o u g h a w a y a h e a d o f t h e m a n u re p lo t.
Fi g. V I — Il l u s t r a t i n g Ta b l e 8
t a b l e 8— T h e c a r r o ts w e r e p u lle d o n O c to b e r 9.
E x c e p t in th e c a s e o f N o r th T o r o n to s lu d g e , w h ic h g re w so m e h u g e c a r r o ts , th e y ie ld s fr o m t h e o th e r b e d s w ere a ll m u c h th e s a m e a s t h a t fro m th e b e d f e r t i liz e d w ith o r d in a r y m a n u re .
t a b l e s 9, 10 a n d x i — T h e o n io n s w e r e p u lle d O c to b e r 9, a n d d id n o t s h o w p h e n o m e n a l g r o w th . M o r le y A v e n u e s lu d g e g a v e a s lig h t ly b e tt e r r e s u lt t h a n a c t i v a t e d s lu d g e in th e ca se o f D a n v e r s Y e llo w G lo b e ,
